For Week Ending:
27 January 2024

Entombed - Left Hand Path (1990)

[Death Metal]

In a world where every death metal band now sounds the same and plays the same it is hard to think back the glory days when the genre had an awkward birth, carefully shedding it's 'extreme thrash' skin to reveal something darker and more sinister beneath. The American's lead the charge in the mid 80's but by the decade's end the Europeans were giving them a run for their money, and when Entombed (out of Sweden) released such a watershed album so early on it almost single-handedly signalled in the next era of metal. This was ground zero for true death metal, and the albums 'buzz-saw' guitar tone is still revered today for its unique sound. Although this was the band's first album, Entombed had grown from the ashes of the proto-death metal band Nihilist, so had honed their chops for years before making it, and it showed in the intensity of the material. The title track pulverises from the moment it launches, but things get even more brutal on 'Drowned' and 'But Life Goes On'. Entombed over their next few albums would move away from straight up death metal into more of a 'death & roll' direction, and interestingly in hindsight tracks like 'When Life Have Ceased' and 'The Truth Beyond' already have a rock undertone showing through. Like most early albums of the genre, the production is ragged, but L.G. Petrov (R.I.P.) growls has way through every track, sounding destitute and anguished, and perfectly complements the tone of the production. In 1990, this was truly mind-blowing.

Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987)

[Hard Rock]

Looking back now, I can't believe we are 40 years on from their breakout Pyromania record. My heart does lie 4 years later with Hysteria. The record is chock full of hits, including the first track which appeals to any male ('Women'). This had them juggling the line of a pop vs hard rock record. There are other examples, including 'Animal' and 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'. The alternate side is tracks like 'Rocket', the second track that brings that stadium sound to the record and gets the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. My favourite on the record is 'Gods Of War'. A very emotional song. I will admit, the record does peter-off toward the end with tracks such 'Don't Shoot Shotgun' and the cheesy 'Excitable'. Despite this, I keep returning for a listen. Brings up great memories of 1987. Also quick mention of Allen and his first attempts at drumming with one arm. Watch him on video. Amazing.

Arist Information
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1976. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals), and Vivian Campbell (guitar, backing vocals). They established themselves as part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) of the early 1980s. Their greatest commercial success came between the early 1980s and early 1990s. As one of the world's best-selling music artists, Def Leppard have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and have two albums with RIAA diamond certification, making them one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling more than 10 million copies in the U.S.

Release Information
'Hysteria' is the fourth album by Def Leppard. The title of the album was conceived by drummer Rick Allen, referring to his 1984 car accident, the amputation of his arm, and the ensuing worldwide media coverage surrounding it. It is the last album to feature guitarist Steve Clark before his death in 1991, although songs co-written by him would appear on the band's next album, 'Adrenalize'. It is their best-selling album to date, selling over 20 million copies worldwide, including 12 million in the U.S., and spawning seven hit singles. The album charted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and the U.K. Albums Chart.